Study Shows Navy SEALs Handle Stress Better

Mar 15, 2012 7:49:40 AM

Alan N. Simmons, Ph.D. of the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System co-authored a report about brain activity in Navy SEALs. The report sheds light on why military special operations forces perform well in extremely stressful situations.

By examining neural scans, the La Jolla scientists discovered that SEALs activate portions of the brain that moderate their emotions when they anticipate something stressful is coming. In other words, they calm themselves down in the period before the action starts, instead of getting over-excited.